Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-13
THE PLANETS IN JANUARY.


teresting Phenomenon-Twe Comets Descib
ed.
However natural 1t may now appear
to US to begin the year with January.
The custom is comparatively modern
one. It did not come into use In Eng
land until 1862. Durind the first six
teen centuries of the Julian calendar
there was such an absence of definite
rules on this biect that the simple en-
umeration of the times chosen by various
pontifs and governments for the com
mencement of the year would fill a page
The most common times of commencing
were March 1 and March %, the latter
being the time of the vernal equinox,
when the sun crosses the equator in his
march from the great south.
It was, therefore, quite a natual starting
point.
The list of January corresponds nearly
to the time of the earth's nearest ap-
proach occurs on Jan. 2 of this year, and
it may be some comfort to reflect that
we will then be 100000 miles nearer the
sun than we will be next July.
The advent of January introduces the
dwelIer IN middle northern ATTITUDES to
the finest consultations of the year.
At in the evening Auriga, with its
bright star Capella, stands directly over
head, while just south is Taurus, easily
distinguished by the red star Aldebaran
alpha TaHri). The Great Bear is just
climbing up in the northeast, and will
reach the meridian very soon after mid
night.
The inclination of the moons orbit to
the equator causes her to describe great
extremes in decIination during this
Of oil CT al mr.
ing from 2 degrees north on the 1st to
Is degrees north on the 9Th; she then
turns abruptly to the south and reaches
the declination OF the 10 de Lrees south
of the 21st. She comes to the first
quarter on the second, is full on the 9th,
at last quarter on the 23d, and barely
misses coming to first quarter again on
the 31st.
The most interesting phenomenon of
the month in connection with the moon
is the occuIation of the first magnitude
star AIdebaran alpha Tauri). This star
is not only very bright but of decided
red color, and its sudden bl0tting out by
the moon forms magnificent sight, not
only for the telescope, but for the naked
eye as well. When the moons advancing
disk is interpOsed between the observer
and the star, the latter disappears in
simultaneously like the shutting Off of a
gas-light. The suddenness of this disap-
pearande is clear proof that the moon
has an inappreciable atmosphere. The
disappearance of Aldebaran takes
place on Jan, 6, at about 40 p. m, cen
trail time, and the star remains hidden
nearly an hour, reappearing again on the
western edge of tho disk with the same
suddenness with which it disappeared.
Mercury Is morning star during the en-
tire month, rising yearly an hour ahead
of the sun on the 1st, and being nearly
at conjunction with him on the 31st. A
new determination of the mass of this
planet has recently been made by Herr
Backlund from the perturbations pro-
duced by it upon the motion of Encke's
comet in 1878, when the two bodies were
in close proximity. This determination
indicates a much larger mass for Mer-
curry than has heretofore been assigned to
it.
Mars once more engaged in his old
filtration with the moaher of loves, and
hovers in her immediate vicinity for the
whole month. He does not overtake her
however, till February. Both are evening
stars, being half an hour behind him on
the 31st, but are at no time well situated
for observation.
The great ringed planet is by far the
most interesting in the whole sky, as he
is now in that part of his orbit most faE-
orable for observation. On the middle
of the month he is in e. A. z hours 20
minutes and % degrees north declination
in the midst of a galaxy of stars IN the
Gemini just south of PollUx and about
one-fourth of the way from Pollux to-
ward Pocyon. On the 18th he rises at
4:30 .. M, and at o'clock stands high In
the heavens.
Jupiter is in Virgo, just east of the
bright star Spica, but as he does not rise
until after midnight he cuts but an in
sifnifcant figure in the January sky
Uranus is also IN Virgo, about two hours
in advance of Jupiter, and will not be
in position to observe for another month
Neptune is well situated for observa,
ton in the early evening, being in Taur-
us an hour west of Aldebaran. His posi-
toe on Jan. / is r. A. hours 3S minutes
declination II degrees "a minutes north
Two comets will be seen in January
both In the early evening sky. The com
ct Finlay (called after its discoyerer)
may be seen after sunset in the south
west in the constellation Cetus. On Jan
1 it is In r. A. hours 81 minutes, 6eeli-
comet is reccling from the earth, and is
therefore diminishing in brightness. IT
is barely visible to the naked eye, but can
easily be distinguished with telescope
of small size. 1t has the appearance Of
a round comma of light without tail
The comet is member of our system,
revolving about the sun In a little over
four years.
A second comet follows the sun, dis
covered by Mr.. Barnard, of Nashville.
Unlike the former it is a stranger and is
now paying a first visit TO our system,
and is rapidly retreating along dara-
bOlic line never to return. It's position
on Jan. 2 ii S. Al 10 hours 81 minutes
declination 3 degrees % minutes north.
1t is bright enough to be visible to the
naked eye, and shows curious bifurcat-
ed tail. With an opera glass or small
telescope an excellent view of it may be
had. Drawings or the tails with dates
and times carefully noted are of great
value.
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